Time moved like an unsteady stream, each student contributing their unique touch to transform the classroom into the attraction they had imagined. Minor setbacks surfaced now and then, small ripples in their progress, but determination smoothed out the wrinkles. The anticipation built steadily, leaving only a single day before the three-day Halloween event would unfold.
This was more than a mere school activity; it was an open invitation to the entire city. Everyone could partake in the event, from the youngest first years to the seasoned third years. The school buzzed with a quiet, collective excitement, each class preparing to showcase their efforts.
In the dimly lit walk-in closet, Yasushi's eyes scanned the details of Jingliu's costume. It hung there, an almost living thing, having been meticulously altered to fit her form perfectly. The faint scent of fabric and effort lingered in the air.
"Is everything in place?" Yasushi's voice carried a subtle concern, a careful inquiry more than a question. His fingers brushed lightly against the fabric, feeling its texture.
Jingliu, standing beside him, offered a slight nod. Her eyes met his, steady and calm. "Yes," she said, her voice soft but confident. "We've done all we can. Now we wait. Three days will be a stretch, but we'll manage."
"Yeah," Yasushi said, gripping her hand as they stepped out of the closet. The room greeted them with the sight of his own costume, displayed at the other end. A zombie version of Oda Nobunaga. He'd taken the advice of friends and family and decided to go through with it. They walked over, and he chuckled.
"You know," he began, examining the costume, "I hesitated because I thought it might offend some people. But really... who knows? I actually made an anonymous account on a popular forum and asked. Most users didn't mind, since it's Halloween and all, and they understood I wasn't trying to disrespect him."
Jingliu, amused, gently touched the costume, checking for any imperfections. "I didn't think you worried about things like that," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "But I guess it shows a different side of you."
Yasushi raised an eyebrow at her. "A different side?"
"More human," she replied, her fingers still brushing the fabric.
Yasushi's curiosity was piqued. "Did you see me as something other than human before?"
Jingliu laughed softly, a sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Well, if you were in my place, watching all the crazy things you've done — like launching people a few feet with your punches — you might start to wonder if you were human too."
Yasushi chuckled, nodding thoughtfully. "Yeah, I suppose that makes sense. But as far as I know, I'm human," he said. Without warning, he scooped her up and carried her over to their bed, starting to tickle her.
"Wha — h-hey, stop — we have—ahaha...!" Jingliu's protests dissolved into laughter as she squirmed, trying to escape his relentless tickling.
Yasushi didn't let up, enjoying her laughter. He continued until she was breathless, then leaned down to press his lips to hers. Jingliu responded quickly, closing her eyes, kissing him back with equal fervor.
After a few moments, he pulled back slightly, his breath mingling with hers. "Let's make the next three days unforgettable."
Flushed, Jingliu nodded, her eyes bright. She tugged gently at his sleeves, silently asking for more. Yasushi smiled and obliged, their kisses stretching into the minutes that followed, each one a promise of more shared moments.
+-+
"Alright, you silly string puppets! Are you ready?" Senbarisu's voice echoed through the classroom.
"Aye aye, captain!" a boy shouted from the back.
"This isn't SpongeBob!" Senbarisu shot back, the class erupting in laughter. "Today's the day! The gates to the school will open in an hour. Double-check everything so nothing goes wrong!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, the students buzzing with excitement.
Most of the class was already in costume. A few chose to stay behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly, but the majority were ready. After taking attendance, Senbarisu dismissed them to make final preparations.
"Mmm. I'll see you soon then," she said, her voice soft. She hesitated, a fleeting desire to kiss him lingering in her mind, but she held back, watching him leave.
Xinyi approached, her presence grounding Jingliu in the busy atmosphere. "Laura and I are close by, so if you need help during the event, just ask. We all have earpieces, so we'll know if anyone needs assistance, but if you specifically need help, just tell us, alright?" She placed her hands gently on Jingliu's shoulders, a gesture of reassurance.
"Yes, I know. Thank you," Jingliu replied, appreciating the support.
Around them, the classroom buzzed with activity. Blinds were being tested to ensure they closed properly, lights flickered on and off in quick stress tests, and colored smoke wafted through the room.
The entire class had poured their efforts into this event. Jingliu and Xinyi had even contributed financially, ensuring no detail was overlooked. The scene was a whirlwind of preparation, each student contributing to the vibrant, chaotic harmony of last-minute checks and adjustments.
+-+
Yasushi, Furuya, and Catherine walked through the halls, their footsteps echoing softly. They were heading to the extra classroom they'd been using to store more items for the event. Yasushi and Furuya carried most of the conversation, while Catherine chimed in occasionally, her voice softer and more tentative.
Catherine's unease around Furuya was palpable, though she managed to navigate their interactions when necessary. Since Jingliu and Yasushi had found out about her secret, her nervousness around them had only grown.
"What do you think, Cath?" Furuya asked, turning his attention to her.
She blinked, her mind having wandered. "U-um... I'm sorry, my mind was somewhere else. What did you say?" she replied, her voice tinged with a slight stutter.
Furuya chuckled softly. "I asked if you and Xinyi will join us for the Halloween costume competition. It's happening in the city plaza on Halloween night."
Catherine hesitated for a moment, considering the invitation. The bustling city plaza, the festive atmosphere, the excitement of the competition — it was both thrilling and daunting. She glanced at Yasushi, who gave her an encouraging nod.
"I... will need to inform Lady Xinyi about it," Catherine replied, her voice measured. "But she will most likely want to join. I just need to ask her first."
"I'll shoot her a text. Give me a sec," Furuya responded, pulling out his phone. He typed quickly, the screen casting a faint glow on his face. After a few moments, his phone buzzed with a response. He looked up, smiling and gave Catherine a thumbs up. "She's good with it. We'll see you there."
Catherine nodded, a silent acknowledgment, her mind sifting through words she couldn't quite form. They continued down the hall, the silence punctuated by the distant hum of activity in the school. Reaching the extra classroom, Yasushi pushed the door open, revealing a carefully organized chaos. Boxes of decorations, costumes, and supplies were stacked neatly, each item awaiting its role in the upcoming event. They gathered what they needed, the atmosphere charged with a sense of purpose.
Returning to their classroom, they were met with a small commotion. A cluster of classmates had gathered around Jingliu, who stood at the center with an annoyed expression. Yasushi rushed over, a mix of confusion and concern etched on his face.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice edged with worry.
"Apparently, someone from the neighboring class found out about our event and came in here to sabotage Jingliu's dress. They weren't too successful, but they did destroy the sword she had," one of his classmates explained, frustration clear in their voice.
Senbarisu sighed, stepping forward to add context. "They've been taken away, and the other class has apologized. None of them wanted this to happen. But we'll have to manage without the sword for the first few visitors. Jingliu has an extra at home, but traffic is going to be horrendous today and for the next two days."
Yasushi stared at Jingliu, her eyes betraying the worry she felt. She shook her head slightly, understanding that Yinhaie wouldn't be able to get there on time by car. Determination settled over his features. He turned swiftly.
"Call her," he said to Jingliu, voice steady. "Tell her to meet me halfway in Hakuchoen. I'll bring the other sword back."
"What? That's not possible! You won't make it back on time, even if you meet her halfway," Xinyi exclaimed, shock rippling through her words.
Ignoring the murmurs of dissent around him, Yasushi gave a resolute nod to Jingliu. She pulled out her phone and began speaking to Yinhaie, her voice quick and urgent. Yasushi stripped off parts of his costume, replacing them with running shoes. He didn't waste a second, sprinting out of the classroom and the school.
He dashed past the people waiting by the gate, their confused faces blurring in his periphery. The streets became a labyrinth, but Yasushi navigated them with single-minded focus. He wove through the crowd, darting across intersections regardless of the traffic signals, driven by a singular purpose: retrieving the sword for Jingliu.
His breath came in steady, controlled bursts as he ran, the city unfolding around him in a series of fleeting images — shops, street vendors, pedestrians — all blending into a backdrop to his mission. The world around him seemed distant, almost irrelevant, as Yasushi pressed forward, his thoughts zeroed in on the path to Hakuchoen.
His phone rang, and he answered immediately, his breath heavy. "Yasushi, we're going through Hioki Road. We can get to Hakuchoen earlier than you. It'll be faster if we meet there," explained Yinhaie.
"Okay, thanks!" he exclaimed, sliding his phone back into his pocket. He adjusted his route, veering toward Hioki Road. It was closer to Hakuchoen and nearer to his current location, making this change advantageous.
After about eight minutes of intense running, Yasushi approached Hioki Road. In the distance, he spotted Yinhaie's car. Relief mingled with his fatigue as she noticed him and ran towards him. She held out the sword replica and a small pill.
"You used this before. It'll restore your energy, but remember the time limit. Go, don't keep them waiting. You have around ten minutes before the gates open. We'll meet you there soon," said Yinhaie, her voice urgent.
Yasushi nodded, taking the pill and the sword replica. He swallowed the pill, feeling a surge of energy pulse through him almost immediately. With renewed vigor, he sprinted back towards the school, the city blurring past in a rush of colors and sounds. His legs moved with mechanical precision, each step propelling him closer to his goal.
As Yasushi sprinted through the bustling city streets, he drew curious glances from passersby, but he paid them no mind. His focus was unwavering, even as he disregarded traffic lights, narrowly dodging a speeding car at one point. Each stride carried him closer to the school, urgency driving him forward despite the risk.
With two minutes to spare, Yasushi reached the school's perimeter. Instead of slowing down, he leaped over the wall that separated the school grounds from the waiting guests, causing gasps of surprise. Onlookers, both inside the school and out in the city, saw what appeared to be Oda Nobunaga, with an exhausted yet determined expression, sprinting past them.
His feet barely touched the ground as he navigated the final stretch, adrenaline pushing him beyond his limits. Bursting through the classroom door, he was met with wide eyes and startled faces. Huffing and drenched in sweat, Yasushi raised the sword triumphantly, a grin spreading across his face.
"I got it," he panted, his voice tinged with triumph and relief. His friends, seeing his dedication and the sword in his hand, couldn't help but cheer. The chaotic energy of the room seemed to settle for a moment, unified by the collective relief and admiration for Yasushi's determination.
"The psychopath actually did it…" Furuya muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear, his eyes wide with disbelief. He stared at Yasushi, amazed that his friend had managed to run through the city and return in the nick of time.
Yasushi handed the sword to Jingliu, who took it with a mixture of gratitude and awe. She looked like she wanted to hug him but held back. Yasushi then moved over to where he had left the rest of his costume, quickly putting it back on. As he adjusted the final pieces, he turned to face his classmates, who still stared at him in stunned admiration.
"Let's get this shit started," he declared, his voice tinged with exhaustion but also determination.
A collective "Yeah!" rose from the group, punctuated by laughter from Senbarisu, clearly impressed by Yasushi's superhuman effort.
The energy in the room shifted, charged with renewed enthusiasm and camaraderie. Yasushi's feat had inspired them all, transforming their nervous anticipation into eager excitement. They knew, with his return, that they were ready to face whatever came next.